People of California:
Come rally for our protected Gaviota coastline at the Coastal Commission’s public hearing in Morro Bay! The more people that show up, the louder our voice. Help save our coastline from development for our and future generations by going to the public hearing and supporting Dr. Lester in his position as Executive Director of the Coastal Commission. Appointees to the Coastal Commission are attempting to fire Dr. Lester. This would open the door for multi-million dollar housing and potentially CLOSE the coastline to public access and endangered species. If we don’t act now, over 1,000 MILES of protected coastline is in danger of development and closure.
Wednesday February 10th in Morro Bay at 10am at the Morro Bay Community Center Auditorium the future of OUR coastline is being decided. An astounding 1,000 miles of our beloved coastline is in danger if appointees to the Coastal Commission get their way. The public hearing this Wednesday is to possibly fire Dr. Charles Lester the Executive Director of the Coastal Commission who has protected our coast from development and closure.
Dr. Lester is the predecessor of the late Peter Douglas. Peter Douglas was “an aggressive and hard-nosed environmentalist, who spent more than 25 years running the commission and advocating forcefully for its independence. Months before his death in 2012, Douglas chose Lester from within the ranks of the agency as his successor, and the commission appointed him unanimously in 2011”. Dr. Lester has maintained what Peter fought for: “Public access to the coast so that it wasn't just something that belonged to the rich," said Warner Chabot, former executive director of the California League of Conservation Voters. "Probably his greatest achievement wasn't what you see," he added, "but rather a political achievement … He created a commission that enabled citizens to take direct action to protect their coast and be seen as equals with the very rich and powerful landowners along the coast” (Woo, Elaine).
IF Dr. Lester is fired the coastal commission will move forward with:
“Estate development on the bluff east of Naples that would obliterate a prolific white tail kite nesting site, disturb one of only two harbor seal rookeries on the Santa Barbara South Coast, destroy longstanding public access, and directly facilitate a 10 lot subdivision on antiquated Naples lots” (Gaviota Coast Conservancy).
“Estate development on the bluff east of Naples that would obliterate a prolific white tail kite nesting site, disturb one of only two harbor seal rookeries on the Santa Barbara South Coast, destroy longstanding public access, and directly facilitate a 10 lot subdivision on antiquated Naples lots” (Gaviota Coast Conservancy).
The more people who can attend the meeting or write in a comment to the commission will make a difference. Come Wednesday the 10th at 10AM to the Morro Bay Community Center Auditorium where the coastal commission is holding a public hearing to decide the fate of Dr. Charles Lester’s job and the fate and future of our coastline.
PLEASE come and save Dr. Charles Lester’s job and OUR coast!
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Wednesday Location Changed to
Morro Bay Community
Center Auditorium
1001 Kennedy Way
Morro Bay, CA 93442
Morro Bay Community
Center Auditorium
1001 Kennedy Way
Morro Bay, CA 93442
Email the Commission at StatusOfExecutiveDirector@
